Crabbers' Tron Martinez to ODU? Could happen

If Hampton High's Tron Martinez doesn't start getting a little more attention, Old Dominion might wind up getting a pretty productive running back who continues to fly under the radar screen.

After running for 524 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns in the past two weeks in one of the state's best high school districts, Martinez should be higher on the priority list for some colleges.

Yes, at 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, he's not the most imposing back. Sure, he still has some work to do to get academically qualified (he's getting closer). Still, he should have more to choose from than just ODU, who Hampton coach Mike Smith said has offered a scholarship to Martinez. Where are all the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-A, schools?

Smith said Martinez is getting looks from Elon, Liberty and James Madison. Smith said Virginia Tech also has shown some interest, but he thinks the best is yet to come for Martinez.

"It's like the little ol' boy that beat (Southern California) the other night," said Smith, referring to Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers, a 5-6, 180-pound back who had 37 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns Thursday in a 27-21 win against No. 1 Southern California. "He only had one offer, and that was from Oregon State. … I think as time goes on and people see (Martinez), they're going to change their mind about him. He may be short, but he's pretty doggone stout. He's a strong kid."

Of course, Smith hasn't met many running backs dressed in Crabbers red-and-black he hasn't liked, but he may have a point about Martinez. He already has 997 yards in five games.

Academics have long been rumored to be an issue for Martinez. Smith said Martinez, who transferred after his freshman year from a high school in North Carolina, has done a lot better academically every year of high school.

Smith added Martinez might be a good candidate to head to Fork Union Military Academy. If nothing else, Martinez could use some time at a military academy to gain some more exposure.

CURRY AT W&MWilliam and Mary is hosting one of the nation's top 30 point-guard recruits this weekend in the form of Brandyn Curry, a 6-1, 180-pound prospect from Hopewell High in Huntersville, N.C.

Curry, who is rated the 27th-best point guard in the country by the scout.com recruiting Web site, averaged 17 points, four rebounds and four assists per game last season. He visited Harvard last weekend. Penn and Stanford are also showing interest.

MASSIE LOOKING SOUTHRemember Bobby Massie? Tech fans do, but it looks like the Hokies are going to have to beat out several southern schools to get him on campus in Blacksburg.

Massie is the 6-foot-8, 335-pound offensive-line recruit originally from Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg who is now at Hargrave Military Academy. He committed to Tech last year before de-committing just before Signing Day.

While he is still technically considering offers from Tech and North Carolina, he's apparently leaning more toward heading farther south.

He likes Georgia, Clemson and Alabama, according to Rivals.com.

Though Tech certainly helped its future offensive line situation with the additions of William Alvarez, Jaymes Brooks, Blake DeChristopher, Andrew Lanier, Greg Nosal, Nick Becton and Michael Via in the last two recruiting classes, there's no doubt Massie would help, too.

Alvarez has been slow to develop, and Lanier and Nosal might not be key contributors for a while because they're just learning the right-tackle position after being moved from tight end. Tech also added Vinston Painter and Khalil Latif in the last two years, but both have been moved to the defensive line.

With some uncertainty still present on the line, Tech could definitely use a commitment from a guy who was considered one of the nation's top 30 offensive tackle prospects last year. As coach Frank Beamer has reminded us a few times since last season, his coaching staff has "gotten behind" in recruiting offensive linemen.

Norm Wood can be reached at 247-4642 or nwood@dailypress.com. For more from Wood, read his blog at dailypress.com/accallaccess.